The Art of Paul Nzalamba
Unframed 16 x 20 prints, tripled matted: $85 plus shippingGraphics are copyrighted by Paul Nzalamba and stories are copyrighted by Lungala Rubadiri
Raised in Uganda, East Africa, Paul Nzalamba was exposed to art as a young child, watching his mother design and construct baskets, floor mats, and room dividers. He began drawing when he was nine, and by the time he was in high school, he was selling his paintings With an exotic and rhythmic use of vibrant color and form, these images express both his cultural heritage and his personal experiences. While his paintings depict scenes from his native Africa, the themes which dominate his work are universally human family, relationships, celebration, and learning. Each picture comes with it's own personal story written by Paul's cousin Lungala Rubadiri. Lungala is a gifted storyteller and often travels to festivals with the paintings to tell his stories in person. Order Online
| At Play |
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| In this picture we see a lady playing with her child. The child is well balanced and centered in her mother’s life. She encourages her child as the child is reaching out for her own goals in life knowing that they can always depend on this supportive hand. The child will trust you, give that child strength and she will always play with a happy heart, knowing all her life the trust and support from her happy parent. |
| Love |
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| In this picture the child has grown older and with all this heart, she has brought up her child to all he or she can be. But comes the difficult time to set the child free. The mother must let go but leave her arms open so the child can always come back. Love your child but set them free with open arms, they leave you more grounded as a parent. In this picture you will also notice the child has a hat on, to shows she’s grown up. The child can always be more independent as an adult but will still need advice. Some people will ask “how old should the child be when the mother sets the child free?” There is no one answer to that, but you’ll notice in the picture they both have hats, they are both adults, but the mother is the more grounded and experience adult and on her strength the child can always flourish. |
| And the Sun Came |
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Here we see three ladies dancing on the hills of western Uganda in the background the hills are pale and yellow while in the foreground the land is green and rich. Uganda is a country that depends very much on the land, so when the land’s green we are filled with prosperity. On the skirts of the women from left to right you’ll notice, corn, millet and string beans, three of the main crops grown in Uganda. In essence the story being one shouldn’t worry, when time are tough. The grass always gets greener, the sun always will shine again. Never worry, life goes in cycles, but all in all the sun always shines again. . . And the Sun Came. |
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| Discussion |
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In this picture we see three ladies talking. If you look closely at them some of the colors they wear are similar but the patterns are quite different. Discussions mean coming together with others that may not see eye to eye with us and have the same premises, but by sharing what we do have in knowledge and experience we all come away having learned something new. Sit down with others who may not be agreeable to you on all issues. We all may learn something new from times of discussion. |
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| Talking To the Birds |
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| In this picture you see three birds in a tree and you also see three people in the picture. The birds are connected to the trees, which is connected to the ground. The ground provides a home for all… the tree, the birds and the people. If you look closely at the mother’s skirt you’ll see a pattern of corn commonly eaten by birds and people. In essence this picture illustrates there is room for all of us, plants, animals, people and we can always share space together. It is important the mother talks to the birds in the presence of her children to pass on to the next generation the importance of the other elements, the plants, the animals, we all have room to live together. |
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| The Market Scene |
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| Here we see a whole a group of people who may not know one another but they share space in the interaction that you see going on. Notice how the trees are very well curved they show a quiet closeness that they may not even notice. Sometimes these interactions may seem very passive, but then when these people meet again at a different place, they may find that the first meeting was just a foundation on a growing friendship to come. Remember to respect others even in the maze that you feel that you’re in. Those people around you may come from the market scene and seem to be too busy for anyone one to notice anyone else. But from the market comes a growth of connection and a life of friendship that you may not have noticed coming your way and find a friend. |
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| The Entrance |
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| In this picture, we see a lady going into a forest which is unusual in Uganda it is normally men who go to the forest. But when the women are home with the children they shouldn’t be seen as Junior or coward. They in fact have so bravely brought up the next generation by staying home. They bring up the girls to become women and boys to become men. So if one were to ask, “who brings up the men to go the forest?” The answer would be the women. One should never underestimate the strength of the role of women in their culture. They will never be defeated, and when needed will step out and confront whatever needs to be confronted out there and do so fearlessly. Never underestimate the strength of a woman. She enters the next challenge and will overcome. |
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| From the Well |
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In this picture we see women coming from a well. Each lady carries very heavy water and each lady represents a different family. It is very difficult to bring water home day after day. But as the ladies walk, if they walk alone, isolated then each one is carrying the burden of parenting and providing for the household. However, if they walk as a group the friendship takes over. Their hearts are filled with joy as they walk together sharing in the intricate necessities of friendship. In their heart, the warm uplift of friendship gives them strength day after day and gives them so much connection that they think less and less of this water on their head. Anyone that might ask them if they are coming from the well, might get the first response being “Oh my gosh” we forgot that we even carried water on our head. This has become a symbol of friendship, as we walk the water is warmed by our friendship and when it gets home it comes as a blessing. Walk with your friends as you journey through life. Your friendship will strengthen you and give you so much joy it becomes a blessing to provide for you family. |
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| The Story |
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| In this picture we see three ladies. The one the left tells the story to the two others. The lady in the middle is very powerful and flashy, while the lady on the right is rather plain in clothing. Sometimes in life before we befriend others, we make assumptions or predictions as to what type of person they would be on the inside. However the lady telling the story makes no assumptions of the others. She opens up freely to both of them without prejudice and although they appear so different on the outside, they are equally intrigued by what they hear. Look at their faces and notice that. The idea is we all have all have a story in our heart that’s ready to be shared. As you journey through life you’ll never know where your best friends will come from. Open up that story, you’ll bless others with it and they will turn around and be a blessing to you. And where you least expect it… a friend. Share your heart and that story will continue. |
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